Suspect arrested in Koreatown for murder

Authorities arrested a suspect wanted for murder on Nov. 13 in Koreatown, and are searching for a suspect in an unrelated homicide that occurred earlier the same day less than a mile away.

An FBI fugitive task force took the murder suspect into custody at approximately 1:10 p.m. in the 900 block of S. Ardmore Avenue. He was identified as Jonathan Castillo, 23, of Los Angeles.

Lt. John Radtke, of the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Bureau Homicide Unit, said Castillo was wanted for the Nov. 10 murder of Janalthy Orozco, 20. The FBI task force assisted the LAPD in locating the Castillo.

Orozco was stabbed to death near Manhattan Place and 24th Street shortly after 10 p.m. on Nov. 10. Following a dispute at an undisclosed location, Orozco drove away and was followed by Castillo. The victim stopped his vehicle, got out and confronted Castillo, and the stabbing occurred. Paramedics pronounced the victim dead at the scene.

Police recovered a knife that may have been used in the murder, but Radtke stressed that the investigation is ongoing. The cause of the dispute is unknown, he added. The incident is not believed to be gang-related.

“We got cooperation from witnesses and worked the case for a couple of days,” Radtke said. “It was an unknown dispute. He is facing a murder charge.”

The other homicide occurred on Nov. 13 at approximately 12:20 a.m. near the intersection of Manhattan Place and Pico Boulevard. An unidentified gunman drove up in a vehicle and shot a male victim multiple times. Witnesses called 911. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Radtke said police have no description of the suspect. The vehicle was a white sedan that was last seen traveling west on Pico Boulevard.

The victim was identified as a man in his 40s. His name was not released pending notification of next of kin.

Investigators do not believe the incident was gang-related. The motive is unknown.

“We have very few leads,” said Radtke, who reiterated that there is no link between the two homicides. “It was purely coincidental. They were in the same general area, but geographically separated.”

Anyone with information is urged to call investigators with the LAPD’s West Bureau Homicide Unit at (213)382-9470.